Assemble Blocks

1. For one block, gather one jack-o’-lantern print 4-1⁄2" square and three different sets of four print or stripe triangles.

2. Sew two triangles from one set to opposite edges of jack-o’-lantern print square; press seams toward triangles. Add remaining triangles from same set to remaining edges to make block center (Diagram 1); press seams toward triangles. The block center should be 6-1⁄4" square including seam allowances.

3. Join short edges of two contrasting triangles to make a block corner unit (Diagram 2). Press seam in one direction. Repeat to make four matching block corner units total.

Finish Quilt

1. Layer quilt top, batting, and backing; baste.

2. Quilt as desired, leaving at least 3⁄4" unquilted along all edges of quilt top. Freda Smith used matching thread to machine-quilt a tight stipple inside the jack-o’-lantern facial features and in the background, then she stitched in the ditch around the squares. She used orange thread to quilt a wavy line along the seams joining the triangles, then sewed straight lines 1⁄2" apart in the border, alternating their lengths from 3⁄4" to 1-1⁄2".

3. Fold an assorted print or stripe 4" square in half diagonally with wrong sides together to make a triangle (Diagram 4). Fold triangle in half again and press to make a prairie point. Repeat with remaining print and stripe 4" squares to make 36 prairie points total.

4. Referring to Diagram 5, pin prairie points to edges of quilt top only (not to batting and backing) with raw edges aligned and prairie points pointing toward quilt center. Slip single-folded edges between double-folded edges. Space evenly, making sure all double-folded edges face the same direction. When satisfied with placement, sew prairie points to quilt top with a scant 1⁄4" seam, sewing through quilt top only.